- Arsenal’s season suffered a blow after Bayern expelled them from Europe
- Former Gunners star Granit Xhaka sent an inspiring message to his former teammates
- Hope is not lost for Arsenal and it is wrong that Oleksandr Zinchenko is the scapegoat – listen to everything is beginning podcast
Former Arsenal star Granit
The Gunners have enjoyed an incredible season in which they have played excellent football under Mikel Arteta, scoring 75 goals en route to helping clinch the title, but a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa handed him the initiative to Man City.
Just days later, Arteta’s side were knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich, leaving them at risk of missing out on silverware this season.
Xhaka left the Emirates last summer for Bayer Leverkusen and instantly enjoyed success, lifting the Bundesliga title after a hitherto unbeaten campaign under manager Xabi Alonso, while they are still in the race to win the Europa League and the German Cup.
He told Arsenal to continue believing they could finish the season with a trophy, saying one or two defeats do not define their campaign after going on an 11-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, ended by Villa last week.
Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has sent a rallying cry to his former team after back-to-back defeats.
The Gunners risk ending the season without titles after being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern, following an agonizing defeat to Aston Villa.
Xhaka played 297 times for the Gunners and won two trophies during his time in north London.
‘This is part of the game, I think there were 10 or 11 unbeaten games. “When you lose a game, it doesn’t mean you’ve already lost everything,” he said, via mirror.
“There are six Premier League games left and there is still a big chance to win the Premier League title. I wish them all the best because I am still in contact with the staff and the players and I am also still watching the games.”
Asked if he thought the club could win a trophy soon, he added: “I hope so, because the team, the staff and the football club deserve to win trophies too.”
‘This year they are very close like last year, but football is about small details. I hope they can do it.’
The Swiss international has just lifted the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, with his team unbeaten so far this season
Xhaka, who played 297 games for the Gunners (winning the FA Cup twice) has been one of the stars of the season for Leverkusen, starting 29 league games and seven in Europe, scoring two goals.
The Swiss international played the full 90 minutes against West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals, helping the team win 3-1 on aggregate after Jeremie Frimpong’s goal canceled out Michail Antonio’s opener.
They will face Roma in the semi-finals and Xhaka insisted Leverkusen are still hungry for more titles after winning the Bundesliga.
‘It’s hard to find the right words [to sum up his emotions]—Xhaka said. “Coming back after my first season in the league is incredible.
“When you kick a ball when you are young, you dream of moments like this. It was hard work day by day, with all of us who are part of this club.
“In my 14 years of football career, it is special for me, but even more special for this club. Now we want more and take others too.’
